A PLAY and support group has been saved from closure by a primary school.

The stay and play sessions at Bridport Children's Centre were under threat following proposals by Dorset County Council. But St Mary's Primary School will take over the Monday sessions from September.

Last week, the Bridport News reported that parents had launched a petition in order to save the sessions.

Deb Geraghty, Bridport Children's Centre lead, said: "The Children’s Centre has the equivalent of 2.5 full-time members of staff who deliver services and directly support families. With this limited number of staff, meeting the government's requirements, at times can be challenging.

"By freeing up our staff from running these sessions, we are able to offer more support to children who are disabled, develop our childhood obesity strategy and deliver additional parenting programmes.

"We have always recognised the value of our universal services, and because of this, we want to reach out into the community more. We already have very strong relationships with midwives, health visitors and early years settings in the town. We would like to expand and develop our links with other parent and toddler groups which will hopefully make the children's centre more accessible to the wider community.

"I am so very grateful for the support of our parents and the people that signed the petition."